Really in need of help. No idea what to do next.

[Senorita_Squiffy]

Hi,

I’m desperately in need of some advice. I’ve had hormonal problems since puberty (amenorrhea in my teens, cysts on my ovaries, terrible acne) and other health problems including lots of antibiotic treated infections and M.E/CFS. I’d had my thyroid levels tested about 2 years ago along with my other hormone levels

Thyroid function test - (annes) – normal

Serum TSH level 1.5 mIU/L (0.30 - 5.50mIU/L)

Serum free T4 level 11.1 pmol/L (9.00 - 25.00pmol/L)

Vitamin D. 92 nmol/L (50.00 - 150.00nmol/L)

Klebsiella pneumoniae 2.3 E5 High

(listed as a potential autoimmune trigger)

Anti-gliadin 7.2 High 0.0-6.4 ug/mL

The doctor that I was seeing at the time, primarily for my skin, put me on some supplements to improve digestive health, but didn’t flag anything specific hormonally. It was only when on holiday in Cyprus earlier this year when I had some more tests run that thyroid issues were flagged.

Serum TSH level 1.79 (0.27 – 4.20)

Serum Free T3 3.76 (3.10 – 6.80)

Serum Free T4 11.93 (12.0 – 22.0)

Anti TPO <0.8

Anti Thyroglobulin <6.4

Ferritin 23 (20 - 180)

Iron 106 (37 – 145)

After reading a post on this site (by lulu2017) I’m thinking it’s probably central or secondary…..

Any advice on what to do next would be gratefully appreciated. I’ve not be able to work properly since March, my digestion is terrible, my skin awful and I’m really struggling.

Am currently taking 1/2 grain Naturethroid NDT and loads of supplements.

Thanks

[greygoose]

Well, for Central hypo - pituitary (secondary) or hypothalamus (tertiary) problems - you need to see an endo, so that he can do the appropriate testing. A GP can't do them, but he can refer you - although he's probably never even heard of Central hypo. You would have to ask.

Can you tell us what nutritional tests you've had - results and ranges - and what supplements - and how much - you're taking? They might not be appropriate.

[Senorita_Squiffy in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose

The only nutritional tests I've had so far are iron/ferritin, vitamin D, potassium. I'm going to have my B12 and iodine done soon. All the other tests that they did were hormonal and digestive (parasites etc). I was high for candida and have been doing the diet for the last few months (no sugar, gluten, dairy, etc).

Supplements are:

On a empty stomach morning and evening:

Probiotic (50 billion)

Zane Hellas candida stop

Now candida support

Saccharomyces Boulardii + MOS

Then with meals:

Chaste tree - 320mg

Magnesium buffered chelate

Selenium ACE (A - 800mcg, C - 80mcg, E- 12mg, Selenium - 220 mcgMg)

Berberine - 400mg

Shatavari - 400mg

Estro block pro (DIM) - 618mg dim complex

Curcumin - 800mg

Optizinc - 30mg zinc, 20mg vitamin B6

Lactoferrin - 250mg x 2

Colostrum powder - 1/2tbsp x 2

Solaray adrenal caps - 340mg bovine adrenals

Viridian enhanced rhodiola complex x 2

FCLO - 740mg x 2

Saw Palmetto - 300mg extract, 220mg powder

Omega 3 1150mg x 2

Designs for Health GI-Revive - One scoop before bed

Sorry, it's a long list!!!

[greygoose in reply to Senorita_Squiffy]

My goodness! That's quite a list! I don't know what half of them are. Would you mind explaining why you think you need them?

Viridian enhanced rhodiola complex, a bunch of adaptogens. Do you have high cortisol? If not, this might be doing more harm than good.

But, the thing that is really worrying me is, if you take all that stuff on an empty stomach morning and evening, when do you take your NDT?

You haven't given us the results for iron/ferritin, vitamin D, potassium. Did your doctor say they were 'fine'? Why did he test potassium, but not sodium?

[Senorita_Squiffy in reply to greygoose]

Yes, I know, it's gotten ridiculous! Guess I'm trying to throw everything at it, as I've now felt unwell on and off for over 20 years. My boyfriend and I want to try for a baby, but I'm really worried that it will make my health worse. Some tablets are to try to balance my hormones, some to support my digestion, some for my skin, etc. etc.

Here are my vitamin levels:

Vitamin D. 92 nmol/L (50.00 - 150.00nmol/L)

Ferritin 23 (20 - 180)

Iron 106 (37 – 145)

Sodium was also tested, I just didn't know what was relevant. Posting all the results would have been a very long list indeed!

Sodium 140 (136 - 148)

I take my NDT last thing at night, just before bed.

Haven't had my cortisol tested yet, these were recommended by my original doctor to help support the adrenals.

The tests done this year were done by a microbiology clinic in Cyprus, rather than a doctor. He only commented on my 'sluggish' thyroid...

I've tried taking supplementing with liquid iron for my ferritin levels, but it just doesn't agree with me.

[greygoose in reply to Senorita_Squiffy]

So, you take your NDT at least two hours away from everything? If not, you will have limited absorption.

'Some tablets are to try to balance my hormones, some to support my digestion, some for my skin, etc. etc.'

You know, there is such a thing as taking too much. And, I think you've gone a little over-board, here. Do you have any idea if any of them are working?

You are hypo, so I really don't thing a bunch of herbs and whatnot are going to 'balance' your hormones. What you need to balance your hormones, is hormones. The first thing you should be concentrating on is raising your thyroid hormone levels. Then, hopefully, the others will take care of themselves, and all those adaptogens could be stopping them doing that. .

Supporting your digestion is good, if you mean pro and prebiotics. But, how is your stomach acid? That is the most important thing for your digestion. And if that is low, nothing much else is going to help.

The quality of your skin is dependant on the levels of your hormones. So, I'm not sure there's anything much you can take 'for your skin'. Get your thyroid hormones sorted. And the skin will probably take care of itself.

I really think you ought to go through this lot with a fine tooth comb, and really think each one through. It must be costing a fortune, for one thing!

I would also suggest that you post a new question - linking to this one - just about your iron/ferritin, because that is such an important nutrient. Far more important to you than gugul or ginseng! Learn how to improve that and a lot of things will improve. Your body will be able to use thyroid hormone a lot more efficiently, for one thing. There are ways you can get round it not agreeing with your stomach. But, the question is likely to get lost in this torrent of information.

[Senorita_Squiffy in reply to greygoose]

That's a good idea, thank you so much. Forgot to say that I'm also taking betaine with pepsin and digestive enzymes before each meal. They are definitely helping. I'll have a go through everything and try to pare it down

[greygoose in reply to Senorita_Squiffy]

Indeed. I don't think that will be too difficult, do you?